Tag Archives: brain injury cases

With college students returning home from school and more drivers out on the road this summer, it is important to have a copy of “Plaintiff 101,” just in case. The Amazon Best Seller is the go-to little black book full of tips, checklists and advice from Karen Mertes’ personal injury litigation that occurred after her car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury.

Though it always feels like summer in Florida, it is important to remind drivers, parents of new drivers and all of you new drivers that texting and driving has the potential to be a fatal mix. Here is an AT&T “It Can Wait” commercial that hit really close to home. Car accidents can happen to anyone at anytime and you may or may not be the one at fault. Sometimes being a defensive driver just isn’t enough. Texting and driving can be prevented.

Interested in law and what goes on in the courtroom during a personal injury litigation?! “Plaintiff 101” by Karen Mertes tells the story as her life hung in the balance after a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver. Despite sustaining a traumatic brain injury, she is the founder and president of Fulfill Your Destiny, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances.

This book is to help other personal injury survivors contemplating litigation, or already involved in litigation. You should be able to navigate these troubled waters ever so slightly easier because of our experience and advice. We’re hopeful that plaintiffs’ attorneys will see the benefit of providing this book as a teaching tool to their clients so as a team you can win your case!

When you call a cab, or request an Uber, you are expecting a designated sober driver to pick you up and safely transport you to your destination. However, what happens if your driver arrives and suddenly you feel unsafe? You notice that they are swerving, seem to be nodding off or even get into a car accident due to intoxication?

About a year ago, Buzzfeed interviewed a woman that was picked up by a drunk Uber driver, “[..]the car crossed over a grass median, coming precariously close to the oncoming traffic lane[..].”

“Gallion’s Uber driver was arrested for driving while impaired [..], he had a blood alcohol level of 0.15 — nearly four times the .04 legal limit for commercial drivers.”

Make sure to be aware and on alert for any suspicious behavior. As the driver to pullover and drop you off in the nearest safe location. Text a friend to call the police or call them yourself if you feel unsafe. Although it should be a guarantee that your driver should arrive sober and fulfill their duties, you can never be too careful.

Looking for a resource to help guide you through your personal injury litigation but short on cash? No problem! Karen Mertes’ “Plaintiff 101” is now available in the Tampa Public Library System!

Karen Mertes on That Business Show!

Interested in law and what goes on in the courtroom during a personal injury litigation?! “Plaintiff 101” by Karen Mertes tells the story as her life hung in the balance after a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver. Despite sustaining a traumatic brain injury, she is the founder and president of Fulfill Your Destiny, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping people whose careers have been altered by injury or other unforeseen circumstances.

For those who are interested in owning Amazon’sBest Seller,“Plaintiff 101” as a valuable resource:

When going through a personal injury litigation, it is hard to know who is to trust. But once you have your lawyer on retainer, it is extremely beneficial to be completely open with your attorney. Below is Takeaway #8 from the Amazon Best Seller, “Plaintiff 101″—

Takeaway #8

Do not keep any secrets from your lawyer. If something in your past may hurt your case, tell your lawyer first. In all probability, it’s not as bad as you think. Remember the lessons of history. It wasn’t the break-in that led to Richard Nixon’s downfall. It was the cover-up.

A lawsuit is a team effort between you and your law firm. To achieve a successful result, you must meet your responsibilities with your best efforts. Be open, honest and flexible throughout your case.

For those who are interested in owning Amazon’sBest Seller,“Plaintiff 101” as a valuable resource:

We all have different family situations, different jobs, different strengths, and different weaknesses. Despite all these differences, there are a number of very common emotional stages that people with a head injury go through. This is based upon my own experience treating patients, but many investigators note similar findings. Here are a view stages to spot when a loved one is recovering/suffering from a TBI.

Confusion and Agitation

This can last minutes or it can last for months. In the hospital setting, this is very difficult for family members. Someone who is very meek and mild, for example, can be physically aggressive. They may punch the nurses, or swear and curse at family members. It’s very frightening for family members, and it feels like it is going to last forever. It may take a while, but people eventually come out of it.

Denial

The patient says, “There’s nothing wrong with me.” For example, they’re in a motor vehicle accident, they’re briefly seen in an emergency room, and they go home. Suddenly, they’re having difficulties. They’re forgetting things or burning food. Family members may say, “you seem different.” But the head-injured person says “No, there’s nothing wrong with me.”

Anger and Depression

Denial is a very common problem, but eventually it breaks down. Head injury problems just don’t go away. The same problems happen over and over and over again. This leads to the next phase, in which the person has a limited awareness of the head injury, beginning what I call the depression/anger phase. When you realize you are different and can’t do things like you used to, you may become angry or depressed.

The holidays are coming and we have the ones we love on our minds more than ever. Veterans who have experienced TBI, including some who didn’t know they had a traumatic brain injury until later, talk about their experiences.

Listen as they describe the signs and symptoms of TBI and its effects on their families. By reaching out for help, they were able to overcome these obstacles and live better lives. Check out this video that Make the Connection created –